Preston North End and Millwall continue their competitive Championship rivalry with Millwall currently holding the upper hand. Recent head-to-head matches show a clear pattern of Millwall dominance, with Preston struggling to secure victories against the London side, This analysis examines their recent encounters, historical context, and what these results tell us about both teams.
Recent encounters favor Millwall
Millwall has established a clear advantage in recent fixtures against Preston North End. Since 2023, Millwall has secured two wins while Preston has failed to register a single victory in their head-to-head matchups. Their most recent encounter on September 28, 2024, saw Millwall claim a convincing 3-1 victory at The Den.
The pattern of Millwall superiority extends beyond this single result. On April 15, 2023, Millwall secured a comfortable 2-0 win, again on home turf. These results demonstrate Millwall’s effectiveness when hosting Preston, particularly in recent seasons.
Draws dominate the middle period
Between Millwall’s victories, the teams have frequently shared the points. Three of their recent encounters ended in draws, suggesting competitive balance despite Millwall’s winning edge. The January 27, 2024 fixture at The Den finished 1-1, as did their October 21, 2023 meeting at Deepdale.
These drawn matches indicate that while Preston has struggled to defeat Millwall outright, they’ve shown resilience in avoiding defeat in several encounters. The frequency of draws highlights the competitive nature of this Championship fixture despite the overall trend favoring Millwall.
Historical context shows shifting fortunes
Looking beyond recent years reveals a more balanced historical record between these clubs:
- March 17, 1973: Millwall defeated Preston 4-1 in League Division Two
- September 11, 1973: Preston defeated Millwall 2-0 in League Division Two
- May 22, 1979: Preston secured a 2-0 away victory at Millwall in League Division Two
These historical results demonstrate that Preston has previously enjoyed success against Millwall, particularly in the 1970s when they secured multiple victories in the old Second Division. This historical context makes Preston’s recent inability to defeat Millwall more notable as a shift in the competitive balance.
What this means for both clubs
Preston North End’s inability to secure victories against Millwall since 2023 represents a concerning trend for the Lancashire club. Their recent record of three draws and two losses suggests a psychological barrier may be developing when facing Millwall. Breaking this winless streak will likely be a priority for Preston’s management.
For Millwall, their recent dominance against Preston provides confidence heading into future encounters. Their ability to secure wins, particularly at The Den, demonstrates effective tactical approaches against Preston’s playing style. This pattern of results contributes positively to Millwall’s overall Championship campaign and establishes them as favorites in this fixture.